Access For All

Creating a Wild Backyard - Uninvited Wildlife

Inviting wildlife to your backyard can be a little bit like throwing a party: There’s always a chance of attracting visitors that outstay their welcome. With a little bit of forethought, you can troubleshoot most backyard wildlife problems without declaring war. An ounce of prevention is worth ten ounces of cure, as they say. What follows are some tips on how to avoid future wildlife problems.

Tips to Prevent Conflicts with Wildlife

• Do not provide food for squirrels, raccoons, opossums, deer, fox, or other mammals that visit your backyard. These animals, unlike birds, can begin to behave in unnatural ways when they are fed by humans. They may become overly brave with you and other humans which can lead to danger for both humans and the animals. The animals will still bite, even though they seem “tame.” Mammals carry many diseases which sometimes do not effect the animals at all but can mean serious illness to humans. Mammals can also transmit dangerous diseases to your cats and dogs. In the close proximity of the mammals crated by feeding, the animals can easily pass dangerous diseases to each other, potentially causing the extinction of that population. Also, mammals can be very destructive if their everyday behaviors are engaged in around your home and involve your belongings.

• Do not leave dog or cat food outside all night. This acts as the same attractant to mammals as deliberate feedings. 

• Seal all cracks and crevices that may be used by animals to enter your home. Any size opening can be used by wildlife to enter. If a crack is too small for a mouse or squirrel, it can often be made wider with a little application of rodent teeth!  Be sure the animals have left before you seal their exits.

• Screen your chimney and all outside vents in your home. Use hardware cloth ¼” size, not window screens.

• Stack firewood away from your home. Stacked firewood is a favorite hiding place for mice and snakes.

• Try to avoid cedar siding homes near forested areas. Woodpeckers are very fond of cedar siding and can become very attracted to one house, putting many holes in the siding and pulling out insulation. Woodpeckers are also known to drum on aluminum drain pipes and storage sheds. This is mating behavior and can last a couple of months. Woodpeckers are protected by law,  may not be trapped or otherwise harassed, and may not be killed.

• Fence off small vegetable gardens with chicken wire buried about five inches below ground and extending to about two feet above ground. This will help prevent invasion by rabbits and woodchucks.

• Secure all garbage cans. Do not simply leave a lid on the can. Devise a latch or buy garbage cans with latches - the more difficult to open, the better. Secure your garbage cans to a railing so that they are difficult to tip over. If you do not use garbage cans, try spraying on your garbage bags a product that keeps pets off of furniture. This can help prevent invasion of your garbage by dogs, cats, raccoons, opossums, and crows.

• Screen all basement window wells so that small animals are not trapped inside of them. And, screen off the small spaces that sometimes exist between first floor porches and the ground. Skunks, snakes, groundhogs, and other animals find these spaces attractive homes.

• Keep bird feeders and feeding areas clean. If you ever see rats eating left over seeds, immediately stop putting out bird feed. The birds will adjust; for your sake and for the sake of your neighbors you need to discourage the rats.

Tips to Solve Wildlife Conflicts

• Don’t panic! Most wildlife conflicts are easy to solve with a little forethought and common sense.

• If a bird or small animals enters your home, seal the room from the rest of the house open all doors and windows to the outside so that the animal can escape. If it is a bat at night, shut off all the lights after opening the doors and windows to the outside.

• If woodpeckers are currently working on your house siding, you will need to cover their favorite areas wit netting or burlap. Seal all siding connections and current holes made by woodpeckers. Contact the nuisance wildlife hotline if the problem persists.

• If a cardinal or other bird is beating itself against one of your windows or a car mirror, you will need to cover it so that the bird can no longer see its reflection. This should discourage the offender. Contact the nuisance wildlife hotline if the problem persists.

• If an unwanted snake is found, don’t kill it! Simply pick it up with a shovel or a broom and move it to a suitable outside location.

Need More Information? 1 (877) 463-6497
There are as many potential wildlife situations that can occur in your backyard or home, as there are species of animals in the world! This sheet is meant to provide very general information to you about preventing wildlife conflicts and its focus is on the typical suburban backyard. However, these tips can work in any type of area. It is not possible to predict any animal’s behavior, so wildlife conflicts that occur are best handled when they arise. If you find yourself in conflict with one of your wildlife visitors, you should call the Nuisance Wildlife Hotline at 1-877-463-6497.

An operator there will help you with any particular problem which may arise. If they can not immediately help you, they will let you know whom to contact. The Hotline is available Monday through Friday from 8:00am to 5:00pm.

Don’t let potential wildlife conflicts discourage you from providing wildlife habitat in your backyard. Most wildlife/human conflicts are not dangerous to either party and only need a cool head and some basic information to solve. Use these tips to help avoid potential conflicts and call the experts if you do have a problem. In most cases, you’ll be able to solve the problem yourself!

For Additional Information, Contact:
 
 Wild Acres Program
 Maryland Wildlife and Heritage Service
 Attn:  Marilyn Mause
 Gwynnbrook WMA
 3740 Gwynnbrook Ave
 Owings Mills MD 21117
 410-356-0941
 E-Mail: customerservice@dnr.state.md.us

Photo of Gray Squirrel, Courtesy of John White